laboratory automation

Chapter

Clinical Laboratory Chemistry

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved.

Clinical Laboratory ChemistrySunheimer • Graves

Laboratory Automation

3



Objectives Level I

1. List four advantages of automated chemical analysis.

2. Define the following terms: throughput, test menu, carryover, discrete testing, random-access testing, open-reagent analyzer, and closed-reagent analyzer.

3. Identify five laboratory tasks associated with the preanalytical stages of laboratory testing.



Objectives Level I

4. Identify three reasons why automation is necessary.

5. Give examples of how automated analyzers perform the following functions:

a. Mixingb. Incubatingc. Transferring reagents



Objectives Level I

6. List four tasks associated with the analytical stage of laboratory testing.

7. Identify five demands placed on the laboratory that serve to drive automation.

8. List three techniques used to mix samples and reagents in an automated system.

9. Identify three techniques used to incubate samples and reagents.



Objectives Level I

10.List three drawbacks of total laboratory automation.

11. Identify three tasks associated with the post-analytical stage of laboratory testing.



Objectives Level II

1. Explain the concept of total laboratory automation.

2. Distinguish the three stages of laboratory testing from one another.

3. Differentiate between proportioning reagent by volumetric addition and by continuous flow.

4. Explain the operating principle of a Peltier thermal electric module.



Objectives Level II

5. Distinguish between workstation and work cell.

6. Explain the principle used for clot detection in automated analyzers.



Three Stages of Testing

• Preanalytical

• Analytical

• Postanalytical



Preanalytical Stage

• Methods to transport specimens– Human carriers or runners– Pneumatic tube delivery systems– Electric-track-driven vehicles– Mobile robots – Conveyors and/or track systems



Specific Tasks Performed by Automated Sample Processors

• Presorting of samples

• Centrifugation

• Sufficient sample volume check

• Detection of the presence of clots in the samples



Specific Tasks Performed by Automated Sample Processors

• Removal of tube stoppers (decapping)

• Secondary tube labeling

• Aliquotting of samples

• Destination sorting into analyzer racks



Tasks Performed in Analytical Stage of Testing

• Sample introduction

• Dispense reagents:– Open-reagent system– Closed-reagent system

• Mixing

• Incubation

• Detection



Figure 3-1 COBAS Integra 800. Courtesy of Roche Diagnostics



Postanalytical Stage of Testing

• Signal processing

• Data processing by computers includes: – Data acquisition – Calculations– Monitoring and displaying data



Automated System Designs

• Total laboratory automated systems (TLAs)

• Integrated modular systems

• Workstations

• Work cells– Figures 3-2 and 3-3

• Fully integrated systems



Figure 3-2 Siemens StreamLAB. Courtesy of Siemans Healthcare Diagnostics



Figure 3-3 Siemens Work Cell CDX. Courtesy of Siemans Healthcare Diagnostics



Put It All Together

Figure 3-4 Roche Modular Analytics Serum Work Area. Courtesy of Roche Diagnostics



Future Trends

• Intelligent Laboratory Systems



Figure 3-5 Siemens Dimension Vista 1500. Courtesy of Siemans Healthcare Diagnostics



Molecular Diagnostics Analyzers

• Automated bench top analyzer for amplification and detection of PCR testing.



Figure 3-6 Roche COBAS Amplicor Analyzer Automated Real-Time PCR System. Courtesy of Roche Diagnostics

laboratory automation

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